Each year, nearly half a million Americans die from tobacco use. One of every
six deaths in the United States is a result of smoking tobacco, making tobacco
more lethal than all other addictive drugs combined.
Can nicotine make me nervous or depressed?
Scientists are learning how tobacco and nicotine affect teen smokers. Studies
going on for 25 years show a link between heavy teen smoking and fear of going
outside (agoraphobia). Teens who smoke were 6 times more likely to get
agoraphobia. And, teen smokers were 15 times more likely to have panic attacks
than teens who did not smoke. Scientists think the reason is that nicotine hurts
blood vessels to the brain, and also blocks air from the lungs. Whatever the
reason, teen smokers are more likely to have panic attacks, anxiety disorders,
and depression.
References
1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Nicotine Addiction
(http://www.drugabuse.gov/researchreports/nicotine/nicotine.html): NIH Pub. No.
01-4342. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed July, 1998. Reprinted Aug.,
1998.
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Mind Over Matter: The Brain's Response
to Nicotine (http://teens.drugabuse.gov/mom/mom_nic1.asp): NIH Pub. No. 00-3858.
Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 1997. Reprinted 1998, 2000.
3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Notes, vol 15, no 1: Teen
Alternative to Cigarettes Has Higher Concentrations of Nicotine (http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol15N1/BBoard.html):
Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Retrieved June 2003.
4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA InfoFacts: Cigarettes and Other
Nicotine Products (http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofax/tobacco.html): Bethesda, MD:
NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Retrieved June 2003.
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Published Article: Parents:
Nicotine is a Real Threat to Your Kids (http://www.drugabuse.gov/Published_Articles/Nicotinethreat.html):
Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Retrieved June 2003.
6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Brain Power! The NIDA Junior Scientists
Program (http://www.nida.nih.gov/JSP/JSP.html): NIH Pub. No. 01-4575. Bethesda,
MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 2001.
7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Mind Over Matter: The Brain's Response
to Drugs Teacher's Guide (http://teens.drugabuse.gov/mom/tg_nic1.asp): NIH Pub.
No. 020-3592. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 1997. Reprinted 1998, 2002.
Revised 2000.
8. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Notes, vol 16, no 1: Smoking May
Lead to Anxiety Disorders in Adolescents and Young Adults (http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol16N1/Smoking.html):
Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Retrieved June 2003.
9. SAMHSA Office of Applied Studies. Results from the 2001 National Household
Survey on Drug Abuse: Volume III; Detailed Tables Volume III-ABN; Prevalence
Estimates and Sample Sizes (http://oas.samhsa.gov/nhsda/2k1nhsda/vol1/chapter4.htm):
SAMHSA, DHHS. Retrieved June 2003.
Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other form of cancer. Eight out of 10 lung cancers are due
to tobacco smoke. Lung cancers are classified as either small cell or non-small
cell cancers.
Restless leg syndrome (RLS or restless legs syndrome) is a common cause for painful legs that typically eases with motion, and becomes worse and more noticeable at rest. This characteristic nighttime worsening can frequently lead to insomnia. Treatment of the symptoms of restless leg syndrome is generally with medication as well as treating any underlying condition causing restless leg syndrome.
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a disorder that persistently obstructs bronchial airflow. COPD mainly involves three related conditions, chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and emphysema. Symptoms of COPD include chronic cough, shortness of breath, frequent respiratory infections, wheezing, morning headaches, and pulmonary hypertension. Treatment of COPD is focused on the related condition(s).
Emphysema is a progressive disease of the lungs. The primary cause of emphysema is smoking. Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is a rare disorder that has a genetic predisposition to emphysema. Aging, IV drug use, immune deficiencies, and connect tissue illnesses are also risk factors for emphysema. Emphysema is a subtype of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COLD). Symptoms include shortness of breath and wheezing. Management of symptoms may be achieved with medications, quitting smoking, pulmonary rehabilitation, or surgery.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which the person has seizures. There are two kinds of seizures, focal and generalized. There are many causes of epilepsy. Treatment of epilepsy (seizures) depends upon the cause and type of seizures experienced.
Drug addiction is a chronic disease that causes drug-seeking behavior and drug use despite negative consequences to the user and those around him. Though the initial decision to use drugs is voluntary, changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and ability to make the right decisions and increase the urge to take drugs. Drug abuse and addiction are preventable.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
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If you have a COPD such as emphysema, avoiding chronic bronchitis and colds is important to avoid a more severe respiratory infection such as pneumonia. Avoiding cigarette smoking, practice good hygeine, stay away from crowds, and alerting your healthcare provider if you have a sinus infection or cold or cough that becomes worse. Treatment options depend upon the severity of the emphysema, bronchitis, or cold combination.
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